Press Release: Friday 10 October 2025
Minister Butler marks World Mental Health Day 2025 with €4 million investment package in early intervention, digital and talking therapies
- Unprecedented additional 300 whole-time-equivalent staff allocated to mental health services in 2026
- New investment of over €4 million focused on early intervention, digital and talking therapies
- Mental health funding has now increased by over 50% since 2020
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler has announced €4 million of new funding for early intervention services, digital mental health and access to talk therapies secured in Budget 2026.
The investment will secure the opening of two new early intervention youth mental health Jigsaw services in Co. Clare and Waterford, serving Waterford city, West Waterford, South Kilkenny and South Wexford. Jigsaw is a mental health charity that provides free therapy and support to young people aged 12 to 25 – both online and in person in one of their 18 – and soon to be 20 – locations around Ireland.
Funding is also being made available to establish a further five mental health Discovery Colleges for young people around the country, building on the existing centre in Co. Roscommon. Discovery Colleges promote mental health and wellbeing for young people aged 12-25 through peer-led workshops, co-produced with individuals who have lived experience and professionals.
Budget 2026 will see a significant investment of €1 million in Digital Mental Health to implement the forthcoming digital mental health strategy, a first for Ireland. This will bring investment in digital services such as online cognitive-behavioural therapy and text-based supports to over €7 million.
For the first time, Budget 2026 will establish a dedicated fund for community-based talk therapy services with a €1 million investment in local organisations providing counselling and psychotherapy. This is in addition to the €2 million in recurring funding secured in Budget 2025 to provide over 15,000 counselling sessions for men who are at higher risk of suicide.
The investment package of €4 million includes:
- Funding to open two new early intervention youth mental health Jigsaw services.
- Five new mental health Discovery Colleges for young people.
- A new talking therapies fund for providing Community Therapy Services.
- Additional mental health peer support workers.
- Funding to implement the new digital mental health strategy.
- Funding for a digital single point of access for youth mental health.
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler said:
“I believe every young person should have access to an early intervention service for mild and moderate mental health issues. I am really pleased to have been able to secure €1.3 million in recurring funding for the establishment of a Jigsaw youth mental health service for Waterford and the South-East and County Clare. Jigsaw is a really important service that intervenes in mental health issues early, helping young people to move forward and get on with their lives, and fulfil their potential.
“Investing in digital mental health, peer support and talking therapies is also an important priority for me and for Government. The more accessible and informal we can make mental health support, the easier it is to get help to people who need it, when they need it. I’m particularly pleased to see investment in community-based talk therapy services who are providing vital services the length and breadth of the country. I look forward to working with colleagues in my Department and the HSE to substantially grow this investment in the coming years.
“The message I want to share on World Mental Health Day is that help is available, and everyone deserves support. I really want to encourage men to visit yourmentalhealth.ie/men to learn about the free counselling sessions we have made available. I also want to encourage all young people to try spunout’s Navigator tool to find helpful, reliable and accessible support 24/7.”